 An unwise sortie of Ngāi Tahu under Tangatahara was beaten back to the pā.Just as the gates were being opened to allow them in, Te Rauparaha and the other Ngāti Toa pressed up close, using a party of captives from Kaiapoi as a screen.With their fire masked by the captives, the defenders delayed too long, and before they could act decisively, some of the northern warriors were inside the pā.